Whenever we think about managing pests and insects in farmlands, we always think about chemical insecticides and pesticides, but what if I told you that there exists a better way of doing this, which also contributes to conserving the environment.

This method is integrated pest management, which is an eco-friendly method which primarily focuses on long-term reduction of pests or eliminating them altogether using many techniques such as biological control, habitat manipulation, modification of cultural practices, and the use of resistant varieties at once. As a last resort, chemical treatments are made with the goal of removing only the target organism.It also focuses on having a minimum impact on human health.

Rather than simply eliminating the pests you see right now, Integrated Pest management actually makes the environmental conditions more challenging for pests to live in, through an ingenious method. Armed with this information, you can create conditions that are unfavorable for the pest.

Below, is a description of the various methods used in integrated pest management, which I have extracted from http://ipm.ucanr.edu, as their description is extremely comprehensive :Biological control is the use of natural enemies—predators, parasites, pathogens, and competitors—to control pests and their damage. Cultural controls are practices that reduce pest establishment, reproduction, dispersal, and survival. For example, changing irrigation practices can reduce pest problems, since too much water can increase root disease and weeds. Mechanical and physical controls kill a pest directly, block pests out, or make the environment unsuitable for it. Traps for rodents are examples of mechanical control. Physical controls include mulches for weed management, steam sterilization of the soil for disease management, or barriers such as screens to keep birds or insects out. Chemical control is the use of pesticides. In IPM, pesticides are used only when needed and in combination with other approaches for more effective, long-term control. 

Thus, Integrated Pest Management is a significantly better, and environmentally conscious method of reducing the levels of pests and insects in the farmland. I hope this article enlightens you about this amazing alternative !